Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Twelve people of varying ages were confirmed infected.

12 people have been infected with MRSA at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. This all happened yesterday when the hospital confirmed that six babies in the neonatal intensive care unit and six hospital workers had come down with this infection. According to UPMC, they have all been treated.

MRSA is a type of bacteria that is resistant to most antibiotics. In general settings, it can cause skin infections. But in a healthcare environment, it can cause bloodstream infections like pneumonia or surgical site infections.

The Allegheny County Health Department has been notified as well as the State Health Department.

Once a person is infected with MRSA, it can last for just under ten days.

A statement from UPMC says the following:

“The presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been confirmed at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The health and safety of our patients, staff and visitors is our highest priority. We’re doing everything we can to care for them. UPMC always follows CDC guidelines, and isolation protocols and infection control procedures are in place. We immediately notified the Allegheny County Health Department and Pennsylvania Department of Health and are collaborating to ensure the safest possible environment for patient care.”